Ejecting cigarette case



June 3, 1958 v. PlNo 2,337,238

EJECTIN'G CIGARETTE cAsE Filed Jan. 25. 195e i :s sheets-smet 1 INVENTOR.

Vl NCENT PINO BY n v. P'lNo- 2,837,238

June. 3, 1958 EJECTING CIGARETTE CASE Filed Jan. 25, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR VINCENT PINO June 3, 1958 v, PINQ 2,837,238

A EJECTING CIGARETTE CASE Filed Jan. 25, 1956 y 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 e o "Il INVENToR VINCENT Pl NO United States Patent O EJECTING CHGARETTE CASE Vincent Pino, New York, N. Y.

Application January 25, 1956, Serial No. 561,179

Claims. (Cl. 221--227) This invention relates to cigarette cases and, more particularly, has reference to a cigarette case having means for dispensing a single cigarette without requirement of opening the case, and having means, additionally, to permit releasable latching of a cigarette follower during load ing of the case, with the lid of the case having a latch release element adapted to unlatch the follower responsive to closing of the case following loading thereof.

An important object of the present invention is to provide, in a cigarette case, a follower that can be slidably adjusted within the case and latched in one position to which it is so adjusted, to facilitate loading of the cigarette case.

Another object is to eect unlatching of the follower responsive to closing of the lid on the case.

A further object is to form the follower with a cam surface adapted to temporarily bias the latch upwardly, against the restraint of an inherent springiness in the latch, the lid including a projection having a cam surface adapted to bias said latch element in a lateral rather than in an upward direction, to disengage the same from the follower when the lid is closed.

Sn'll another object is to form a cigarette case which, in a second form of the invention, will permit loading of the cigarettes in superposed rows or layers, with a follower and ejector being so designed as to effect ejection of a single cigarette regardless of the layer in which it is disposed. Y

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a perspective View of a cigarette case formed in accordance with the present invention, the lid being closed and a cigarette being shown in ejected position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View in which portions of the case and lid have been broken away, and in which other portions have been shown in section, the lid being in, open position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective View of the container` with the lid removed, showing the follower and the mechanism for shifting the sarne longitudinally of the container. ,j i

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view through the cigarette case with the lid closed, showing the follower latching mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 in which the follower is shown in full lines during movement past the latch arm and in dotted lines in its fully latched position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional view on line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 with the lid' partially Open.

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Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a cover plate normally enclosing the follower latching and shifting mechanism.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a modified construction.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view on line 11-11 of Fig. lO.

Fig. l2 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional view on line 12-12 of Fig. 1l.

The reference numeral lil has been generally applied in Figs. l-9` to a cigarette case formed according tothe present invention. This includes a flat container 12 adapted to hold a quantity of cigarettes C, said container having a low, upstanding peripheral wall on the back portion of which spaced hinge sleeves are provided, to hingedly mount on the container a lid 14. The hinge sleeves of the container 12 have been designated at 16, and are located at opposite ends of the back wall of the container. Coaxially aligned with and disposed between sleeves 16 are hinge sleeves 18 of the lid, and extending through the several hinge sleeves is a hinge pin 19.

A cigarette hold-down bar 20 extends longitudinally of the container from end to end thereof, to exert a light downward pressure upon the several cigarettes, tending to maintain them in a common plane within the container, in position to be ejected in turn. At its opposite ends, bar 20 seats in shallow recesses 21 in the end walls of the container 12, and intermediate its ends, the hold-down bar includes a rearwardly extending tongue 22 having hinge sleeves receiving hinge pin 19. A small spring 24 is coiled about the hinge pin', bearing against the lid and tongue 22 at opposite ends as shown in Fig. 2, thus to normally hold the bar 20 downwardly in a cigarette-engaging position.

In the front wall of the container 12, adjacent one end wall thereof, there is formed an opening 28 through which a cigarette may be ejected. A door 30 is hingedly connected to said from wall to the container, and is spring loaded so as to be normallybiased to a position covering opening 2S. An ejected cigarette C, however, exerts sufficient pressure on door 3d to swing the same ternporarily to an open position as shown in Fig. l.

Within container 12 there is provided a pair of blocks 32, 34 of inverted L-shape in cross section, block 32 being disposed adjacent one end wall of the container and the other block being disposed in engagement with the other end wall.

A cover plate 36 (see Fig. 9) is adapted to extend the length of the container, and has a depending front flange terminating at its lower edge in closely spaced relation to the bottom wall of the container.

The cover plate 36 has longitudinally spaced openings 33 receiving screws 40 threaded in the blocks 32, 34 respectively, and thus the cover plate when secured to the blocks provides an enclosed housing for a follower shifting and latching mechanism.

Formed in the top surface of block 32 is a longitudinal groove 42, and anchored at one end in the inner end of the groove is an elongated, contractile spring 44 trained intermediate its ends about a roller 416 journalled upon block 34. Block 34 has top and bottom grooves 50, receiving the upper and lower flights of the spring d4.

Secured fxedly at its opposite ends to the respective end walls of the container 12 is a guide rod S2, and slidin-g upon said guide rod is a follower block 54. The guide rod extends under the forwardly projecting, overhanging portion ot' the 'blocks 32, 34, and the block 54 is of a height such that it can readily pass' under said overhanging portions, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Fixedly secured to the block S4, and extending transversely of the container 12 to a location adjacent the front wall thereof, is a pusher bar 56 adapted to engage the end cigarette C of the row of cigarettes. Pusher bar 56 `on its lower edge has a longitudinal ange 57 in slidable contact with the bottom wall of the container.

At its inner end, the pusher bar 56 is spaced from the adjacent surface of the block 54 to provide an upwardly opening, relatively narrow slot 58, said slot being for the purpose of receiving the depending ange of the cover plate 56ers shown to best advantage in Figs. 7 and 8.

Within the housing defined by the cover plate 36 there is formed on the block 54 an extension 60 having at its free end an upwardly projecting ear 62 to which the other end of the spring 44 is connected.

From this construction, it will be seen that the spring, tending to contract, will shift the follower comprising block 54 and pusher 56 to the left in Figs. 2 and 3. In thisV way, the cigarettes are continuously urged to the left in these figures of the drawing, so that the cigarette at the end `of the row remote from the pusher bar is urged against an ejector bar 64 slidably contacting the inner surface of the adjacent end wall of the container. Ejector bar 64 has at one end a lip 66 adapted to engage in back of the nearest cigarette, and intermediate its ends, the ejector bar is connected to the stem of a button 68 disposed exteriorly of the container, said stem of the button extending through a closed slot 70 formed in the container end wall. A spring 72 (Fig. 4) is connected between the'ejector bar 64 and said end wall, and normally tends to retract the ejector bar to a position such that lip 66 will engage in back of the cigarette next to the ejector.

Thus, with the follower urged toward the ejector bar, a cigarette will be shifted against the ejector bar after a previous cigarette has been dispensed, and the cigarette next to be dispensed will be aligned with the opening 28. On the next occasion on which a cigarette is desired, one shifts the button 68 toward the front wall of the -opening against the restraint of the pull-back spring 72, and this will cause a cigarette to be shifted partially through the opening, in position such that it can conveniently be grasped and quickly removed. As soon as the cigarette is removed, the entire row of cigarettes will be shifted by the follower, to dispose a new ciragette in position for ejection.

When the cigarette case is to be reloaded, the lid is opened, and the follower is manually shifted to the right in Figs. 2 and 3, When the follower is shifted to its maximum extent to the right, it will be automatically latched, thus to facilitate loading of the cigarette case.

The latch arm used for latching of the follower has been designated at 74, and simply comprises a length of spring material one end of which is anchored to the underside of block 32. The other end portion of the latch arm is inclined downwardly, projecting beyond the adjacent end of the block 32 as shown in Fig. 5, and at its free end, the latch arm has a forwardly projecting finger 76 extending in the path of the follower 'block 54.

The follower block, on the end thereof facing toward the block 32, has a cam surface 78-oblique to the line of sliding movement of block v54. The nger 76 is dis'- posed in the path of the cam surface. Accordingly, with the lid open, the follower is shifted to the right in Fig. 6, and ultimately, as shown in full lines in Fig. 6, cam surface 78 will engage the finger 76. Continued Inovement of the block 54 to its dotted line position of Fig. 6 will cause the finger 76 to ride upon the top surface of the follower block, and ultimately drop down, by reason of the lspring tension of the latch arm, in back of the follower block so as to latch the follower block in its dotted line position of Fig. 6.

Secured xedly to the underside of the lid 14 is a depending latch release finger or projection 80, having at its free end a cam surface 82. The cam surface 82 is so arranged that when the lid is swung from its open to its closed position, it will engage the latch arm, and will bias the latch arm laterally, toward the rear wall of the at container. As a result, the finger 76 will be shifted 4 out of the path of the follower block, and this will effect release of the follower block so that, under the contractile tendency of the spring 44, said follower block will be free to move toward the ejector bar 64.

lt will be seen from the above that the latch arm is so tensioned that its finger 76 is normally disposed in the path of `the follower block. However, the tension of the latch arm is such that against the restraint of the springiness thereof, the latch arm can be biased upwardly by the cam action exerted against the finger by the follower block, or alternatively, biased laterally by cam action exerted against the latch arm by the projection Sti of lid 14.

To permit movement of the carn projection into the housing defined by the cover plate 36 and the associated portion of the container walls, the cover plate is formed with a transverse slot 34 (Fig. 9), through which the projection 80 moves when the lid is swung to closed position.

From the construction illustrated and described, it will be seen that each time the lid is raised for the purpose of reloading the cigarette case, the projection 80 will move out of engagement with the latch arm as shown in Fig. 8, and under the tension of said arm, the finger 76 will move into position across the path of s'lidable movementof the follower block S4. Then, the follower block is shifted manually against the restraint of its associated spring 44 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 6. In being so moved, the follower block will cam the linger 76 upwardly and after moving fully past the iinger, will be latched by `movement of the finger 76 downwardly under the tension of the spring arm 74. The cigarette case may now be fully loaded with a quantity of cigarettes C. Then, the lid is closed, and when it swings to closed position, will exert a cam action against the latch arm 74, biasing it toward the rear wall of the container to shift finger 76 out of engagement with the follower block. The follower block will now exert a continuous pressure against the cigarettes, tending to keep a cigarette always in positionagains't the ejector bar, ready to be dispensed.

In Figs. 10-12, there is shown a modified construction wherein the cigarette case is adapted to hold the cigarettes in two superposed rows or layers. This is shown to particular advantage in Fig. 1l in which the two layers of cigarettes are illustrated in dotted lines. The cigarettes of the bottom layer are staggered relative to the cigarettes of the top layer.

In this form, the cigarette case has been generally designated at 10a, and except for the pusher bar and the ejector bar, and for the size of the dispensing opening, is identical in all respects to the rst form of the invention. Of course, to accommodate two superposed layers of cigarettes, the cigarette containerwill be deeper than the container in the rst form. Otherwise, the latching mechanism, and the latch release means, as Well as the follower mounting and follower shifting means, are identical to those of the rst form.

The container 3.2a is provided with a hinged lid 14, and in the front wall of the container adjacent one end wall there is formed a dispensing opening 28a. Opening 28a, as distinguished from the opening of the rst form, is of a height such that a cigarette in either of the superposed rows or layers may be shifted therethrough.

In this form of the invention, there is provided a pusher bar 56a, of a height such that it will extend across the planes of both` layers of cigarettes. The pusher bar 56- has a flange S7a which, as distinguished from the flange S7 of the first form, is of appreciable thickness, so as to denne a recess in the pusher bar receiving the nearest cigarette of a top layer. This assures the retention of the cigarettes in staggered relationin the respective layers, as will be readily'noted from Fig. 11.

yThe ejector mechanism in this form of the invention comprises an ejector bar 64a which is very short in length,

essayage and which is not equipped'with a lip similar to the ejector bar of the first form. The ejector bar 64a is of a height such that it'will extend across the planes of both rows of cigarettes, and accordingly, on movement of the ejector bar against the restraint of an associated pull-back spring 72a, said bar will engage the cigarette nearest thereto, whether the cigarette is in the top or bottom row and will shiftthe engaged cigarette through the dispensing opening 28a. As the cigarette moves out of the opening, it will engage a door 30a similar to the door 30 of the first form, and will bias the same to an open position.

It is important to note that in this form of the invention, the ejection of a single cigarette is accomplished despite the fact that the cigarettes `are maintained in two,

vsuperposed layers or rows in staggered relation. Due to vthe staggering of the cigarettes, one cigarette to be dispensed will be in the lower row, and the next cigarette will be in the upper row, with the next following cigarette again being disposed in the lower row. ln each instance, regardless of the disposition of the cigarette in the first or second rows as the case may be, the ejector bar will be disposed in position to eject the same through the opening 28a. Meanwhile, the pusherV bar continually exerts pressure against both rows tending to move the same toward the ejector bar, and further insures that the cigarif ettes willbe disposed` in the staggered relationship previously mentioned. y

To effect the manual movement of the ejector bar in a position to eject a cigarette, there is provided a button 63a the stem of which extends through a slot '70a and is secured to the ejector bar.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it isito be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes .and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is: l

l. A cigarette case'comprising acontainer adapted to hold a quantity of cigarettes and having an opening adjacent one end through which a cigarette may be dispensed, a lid on said container, ejector means at said one end of the container for shifting through said opening the cigarette nearest said end, follower means for shifting the cigarettes toward the ejector means, a latch assembly for holding the follower means in a retracted position during loading of the container with a fresh supply of cigarettes, and means on the lid for shifting the latch assembly to a follower-means-releasing position responsive to closing of the lid, said follower means including a follower block and a pusher bar projecting transversely of the container from said follower block, the container including stationary blocks adjacent opposite ends thereof and the follower block being movable below the stationary blocks, said follower means additionally including a rod extending between opposite ends of the container, the follower block sliding upon said rod, the latch assembly including a spring arm secured to one of said stationary blocks, said spring arm being formed with a laterally projectingfinger normally extending in the path of the follower block during movement of the follower block upon said rod.

2. A cigarette case comprising a container adapted to hold a quantity of cigarettes and having an opening adjacent one end through which a cigarette may be dispensed, a lid on said container, ejector means at sai-d one end of the container for shifting through said opening the cigarette nearest said end, follower means for shifting the cigarettes toward the ejector means, a latch assembly for holding the follower means ina retracted position during loading of the container with a fresh supply of cigarettes, and means on the lid for kshifting the latch assembly to a follower-means-releasing position responsive to closing of the lid, said follower means including a follower block and a pusher bar projecting transversely of the container from said follower block, the container including stationary blocks adjacent opposite ends thereof and the follower biock being movable below the stationary blocks, said follower means additionally including a rod extending between opposite ends of the container, the follower block sliding upon said rod, the latch assembly including a spring arm secured to one of said stationary blocks, said spring arm being formed with a laterally projecting linger normally extending in the path of the follower block during movement of the follower block upon said rod, said follower block having an upwardly facing cam surface adapted to engage said finger for biasing the finger upwardly during movement of the follower block to its retracted position, whereby, on passage of the follower block beyond the finger, said finger will shift into position in back of the follower block to hold the same in the retracted position thereof.

3. A cigarette case comprising a container adapted to hold a quantity of cigarettes and vhaving an' opening adjacent one end through which a cigarette may be dispensed, a lid on said container, ejector means at said one end of the container for shifting through said opening the cigarette nearest said end, follower means for shifting the cigarettes toward the ejector means, a latch assembly for holding the follower means in a retracted po'sition during loading of the container lwith a fresh supply of cigarettes, and means on the lid for shifting the latch assembly to a follower-means-releasing position responsive to closing of the lid, said follower means including a follower block and a pusher bar projecting transversely of the container from said follower block, the container including stationary blocks adjacent opposite ends thereof and the.'

follower block being movable below the stationary blocks, said follower means additionally including a rod extending between opposite ends of the container, the follower block sliding upon said rod, the latch assembly including a spring arm secured to one of said stationary blocks, said spring arm being formed with a laterally projecting finger normally extending in the path of the follower block during movement of the follower block upon said rod, said follower block having an upwardly facing cam surface adapted to engage said finger for biasing the finger upwardly during movement of the follower block to its retracted position, whereby, on passage of the follower block beyond the finger, said finger will shift into position in back of the follower block to hold the same in the retracted position thereof, said means for shifting thelatch assembly to a followerblock-releasing position comprising a projection depending from the lid and having a laterally facing cam surface disposed to engage the spring arm on closing of the lid and to bias the spring arm laterally in a direction to shift the finger out of engagement with said follower block. t

4. A cigarette case comprising a container adapted to hold a quantity of cigarettes and having an opening adjacent one end through which a cigarette may be dispensed, a lid on said container, ejector means at said one end of the container for shifting through said opening the cigarette nearest said end, follower means for shifting the cigarettes toward the ejector means, a latch assembly for holding the follower means in a retracted position during loading of the container with a fresh supply of cigarettes, and means on the lid for shifting the latch assembly to a follower-means-releasing position responsive to closing of the lid, said follower means including a follower block and a pusher bar projecting transversely of the container from said follower block, the container including stationary blocks adjacent opposite ends thereof and the follower block being movable below the stationary blocks, said follower means additionally including a rod extending between opposite ends of the container, the follower block sliding upon said rod, the latch assembly including a spring arm secured to one of said stationary blocks, said spring arm being formed with a laterally projectingiinger normally extending in the path of the Ifollower block during movement of the follower block upon said rod, said follower block having an upwardly facing cam surface adapted to engage said finger for biasing the finger upwardly during movement of the follower block to its retracted position, whereby, on passage of the follower block beyond the finger, said finger will shift into position in back of the follower yblock to hold the same in the retracted position thereof,I said means for shifting the latch assembly to a follower-block-releasing position comprising a projection depending from the lid and having a laterally facing cam surface disposed to engage the spring arm on closing of the lid and to bias the spring arm laterally in a direction to shift the finger out of engagement with said follower block, said means for shifting the cigarettes toward the ejector means additio-nally including an elongated, contractile spring connected at one end to the follower block and at its other end to the stationary block securing the latching spring arm, the other stationary block including a roller about which said spring is trained.

5. A cigarette case comprising a container adapted to hold a quantity of cigarettes and having an opening adjacent one'end through which a cigarette may be dispensed, a lid on said container, ejector means at said one end of the container for shifting through said opening the cigarette nearest said end, follower means for shifting the cigarettes toward the ejector means, a latch assembly for holding the follower means in a retracted position during loading of the container with a fresh supply of cigarettes, and means on the lid for shifting the latch assembly to a follower-means-releasing position responsive to closing of the lid, said follower means including a follower block and a pusher bar projecting transversely of the container from said follower block, the container ,including stationary blocks adjacent opposite ends thereof and the follower block being movable below the stationary blocks, said followerV means additionally including a rod extending between opposite retracted position, whereby, on passage of the follower block beyond the finger, said finger will shift into position in back of the follower block to hold the same in the retracted yposition thereof, said means for shifting the latch assembly to a follower-block-releasing position comprising a projectiondepending from the lid and having a laterally facing cam surface disposed to engage the spring arm on closing of the lid and to bias the' spring arm laterally in a direction to shift the nger out of engagement with said follower block, said means for shifting the cigarettes toward the ejector. means additionally including an elongated, contractile spring connected at one end to the follower block and at its other end kto the stationary block securing the latching spring arm, the other stationary block including a roller about which said spring is trained, said cigarette case additionally including a cover plate extending longitudinally of the container in position overlying the stationary and follower blocks, vsaid cover plate including a depending longitudinal ange and the follower block having a slot at the location of its connection to the pusher bar receiving said ange of the cover plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Pino July 4, 

